Public can “finally” have say on Three Waters reforms

The public can finally have their say on central government’s three water reforms this month and Ōpōtiki Mayor, Lyn Riesterer, encouraged everyone to get involved and make sure they had their voice heard.

“All of us around the council table have been very concerned at how much of this process has happened behind closed doors. These changes are like a runaway train – huge change at great expense hurtling into the dark.

“This is the only chance that people will have to influence this bill, and hopefully slow it down and take a careful and sensible approach to reform that will work for our local communities, not bureaucrats in Wellington.

“There’s still the opportunity to create a genuine partnership between local and central government so we can create reform that has broad support and will last in the long term,” Mayor Riesterer said.

The public can have their say on the water reforms through the Select Committee process for the Water Services Entity Bill. Communities 4 Local Democracy He hapori mō te Manapori are also offering guidance and support for the submission process at demandbetter.nz. Submissions are open until 22 July.

“I have heard a lot of pretty angry and frustrated talk from people in the community. I think there are some valid concerns to be raised about what it is likely to mean for us here in Ōpōtiki and other small centres. Once decision-making and assets are moved to a distant organisation all the way over in Hamilton, what are the chances that our local concerns will be heard, or that our priorities will matter at all to a board sitting 240km away? Under the new mega corporate model, we’ll just be one of thousands of communities all competing for a share of capital investment.

“I know there is also community concern about how this piece of legislation can so easily remove local assets from local control and influence. Even with the billion-dollar government “support package” it will leave us out of pocket. We have built these assets up over many years and they are vital to the long -term development and health of our communities. To take them away with the flick of a pen is worrying.

“So yes, let’s find a way to face some of the challenges across the country – climate change, growing populations, aging infrastructure, and debt. But it doesn’t have to be this dictated, one-size-fits-all approach. We can find a way to reform the sector sustainably and together. If most councils in New Zealand are saying ‘no thanks’ then maybe the government needs to rethink their approach.

“I encourage everyone to take a few minutes to submit on the bill and deliver a strong message to the Government that people want a better form of reform.

“We’re also calling on the Government to ensure that the select committee meetings aren’t heard solely in Wellington and community voices are heard wherever they are,” Mayor Riesterer said.